Archive for the ‘Mason bee cocoons’ Category

A moist rag is used to raise the humidity above the normal fridge humidity. The reading on the humidity meter is too high so this rag should be replaced with a rag that is only partly moistened. The target humidity is 75%. The seal on the large container is good enough to maintain the same atmosphere for a length of time.

Separate good cocoons from infestations of pollen mites and store 500 at a time in plastic trays. The double layer of plastic is to protect from rodents. Storage for the present is in a closed carport that is a couple of degrees warmer that outside temperatures.

This year we will put out 4000 Mason bee cocoons in 10 acres of blueberries. There will be a random mix of males and females. The number of nests required is 75% of the number of cocoons released or 3000. In the picture below we are cutting the kraft paper that is used to line the nests.